Chapter 277

Scarlett’s POV: Though I wasn’t hungry, I still accompanied Everett to eat a little, mindful of the effort I had put into making dinner. At the table, we ate quietly. The atmosphere wasn’t warm, but it felt far more natural than when we had first sat down. After dinner, I hesitated before saying, “I’ll clean up. You go rest.” “No need,” he replied, rising to clear the table. “I’ll put the dishes away. The dishwasher makes it easy.” “Then let’s do it together,” I insisted, feeling too awkward to let him handle everything alone. He smiled and didn’t refuse again. Sharing household chores felt like the ordinary routine of a married couple, and I found it unexpectedly pleasant. We cleared the dishes together, leaving only the final task of wiping down the table to Everett. I headed back to the bedroom to take a shower before bed. The moment I stepped into the bathroom, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID… it was Eleanor. “Ellie,” I answered, stepping inside and closing the door. “Sca